Omg you guys. I don't have the proper words to explain how much I loved this story. If y'all know me, you know my love for The Ever King/Queen. I did not think anything could surpass that love, but the Nightmare Prince is giving Bloodsinger a run for his money.

This story is full of political schemes, Norse mythology, snarky banter, and yummy spice! I was a giddy little girl kicking my legs and smiling from ear to ear reading Jonas' and Skadi's back and forth banter. Watching them wear each other down was invigorating. I ate this book up in less than 2 days. It was THAT good.

Our nightmare prince believes this marriage will protect his people, while our shadow elven believes she's nothing but a mist thief monster. Will fighting against a common enemy bring them closer together or tear them apart?

We also get a little tease at the end which only made me love Heartwalker and his mysteriousness even more. I won't give it away, but HOLY SMOKES I NEED THE STOLEN CROWN NOW!

Thank you LJ, Berkley, and Penguin Random House for the eARC with the bonus content. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Be ready to be swept away the Mist Thief is here. Jonas is marrying Skadi the woman that tried to kill him. I loved the banner and chemistry and the way they danced around each other.
Jonas’ parents, Kase and Malin, his brother Sander and several other characters made appearances. They were very supportive and with their help Skadi learned to accept her gift. The scenes between the two are so heartwarming and super explosive. There is a storm still brewing, in the name of Arion and his court. Battle down the hatches because no one harms anything that belongs to Jonas. Be ready to be swept away into a land of enchantment, magic, mystical creatures and supportive family and friends.

The Mist Thief to be re-released 10/14/25

Bonus scene the moment Tate Heartwalker reaches Celine to report the stolen elven princess

ARC Review - My heart started racing when I read the bonus scene of Tate Heartwalker races to Celine to report the stolen elven Princess. When Celine made the call to go to war, I had a chill go down my spine and my heart was in my throat. So can’t wait for this tale to unfold.

Thank you LJ Andrews and NetGalley for the ARC and I’m leaving my review voluntarily.

The Mist Thief is technically book 3 in the Ever Seas series and I guess book 12 in the greater Broken Kingdoms world. However it can be read as a standalone (you'll get hooked and end up reading it all anyway 😉). A huge thank you to the team at Penguin for an ARC for the chance at an honest review.
I cannot gush enough about this world and it is my favourite fantasy universe of all time. Yes I know that's a big call but it's just so intricate, intriguing and vivid that I can't help but feel completely baffled by its beauty. The way that LJ creates this incredibly immersive world with such poetic and haunting writing is just something else. And Jonas' story is no exception. I am already a sucker for a morally grey playboy but add in an arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, touch her and die, and all the absolutely epic characters and I was never coming back from this one. Plus the one liners in this make me swoon 🥵
Jonas is witty, funny, flirty, intelligent, loyal, fiery and truly a nightmarish monster all in one. How lucky Skadi is to control his attention, even if she doesn't think so 😏. Skadi is monstrous, strong, forgiving, kind, stunning and smart. Her wit matches Jonas in the perfect way. I love watching her grow and see the truly ruthless icon she becomes 🔥
If you love fantasy & enemies to lovers, with my wife moments of absolute steamy flirting then this book is the one for you. Jonas has such a big heart, he is extremely loyal but don't be mistaken if you hurt what is his you will pay the price as you see all your worst nightmares.

Blown away!! I’ve been waiting for this one ever since I finished The Ever Queen! I didn’t think anything could compare to the lovely songbird and her serpent but nightmare and fire are right up there!! I loved Jonas and Skadinia! Their story was just as daring and entertaining!

This book was so much fun! The banter was addition and the romance was positivity swoon-worthy! With lots of magic, darkness, fun heists, and sprinkles of danger I was captivated from the start!

I also loved the addition of previous characters from the world!

Need more reasons to love? Check out these great tropes: enemies to lovers, arranged marriage, banter, forced proximity, slow burn, hurt/comfort, royalty, found family, fae, elves, morally grey characters, ‘who did this to you?’, touch her/him and xxx, ‘my wife’, and much more!!

A fun little bonus material at the end of this with Hearttalker and Celine! It got me excited for things to come!!

When one of your favourite authors writes a second generation of not only your favourite series, but your favourite couple in that series, you know it's going to be a hit. Add into that some of your all time favourite tropes (cinnamon roll, he falls first and HARD, he's a little tortured and grey, she doesn't want to open up but can't help herself with him) it's a five star read. Hands down.

I'm obsessed with LJ's writing, everything she writes is pure gold. The storytelling, the plot twists, the character development, everything is spot on!

If you love an epic fantasy with an epic romance, characters who are all a little morally grey and will do unspeakable things to protect the ones they love. If you want a castle full of thieves and scoundrels who are just the most devoted found family you've ever read, pick up this book.

Damn, I'm getting goosebumps just thinking about it.

This book had me laughing out loud at the first line! I can’t even express how much I loved reading the this but I’ll try ! This book is the 3rd book in The Ever Seas series and follows Jonas and Skadi’s journey (and can even be read as a standalone) Jonas is definitely a cinnamon role MMC with “touch her and die” vibes! Skadi is a force to be reckoned with and gives the nightmare price a run for his money. The banter between the two is just a ✨chef’s kiss✨You see many interactions from previous characters from The Broken Kingdoms series and The Ever Seas series that will have you laughing out loud 🫶 Loved it!

✨The Mist Thief✨

This book makes me happy.

^^ that’s the first thing I wrote down and it continued until the end and beyond. LJ, as usual, is a phenomenal author and I believe can do no wrong in the way of stories.

The Mist Thief is a wonderful addition to The Ever Kingdom and Broken Kingdoms series and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to be reunited with all the characters. It’s incredible how each one is so intricately their own. How LJ manages so many so well is beyond my comprehension!

In this interconnected standalone, we get to follow Jonas and Skadi. We have previously met them in the Ever Queen and you’d be remiss to not have read those beforehand simply because 1. They’re amazing and 2. They really help you understand the foundation that has been laid for us.

TMT is the ultimate marriage of convenience, spicy Romantasy. I laughed and swooned from start to finish. While the stakes are lower, that doesn’t make the story uninteresting. Far from it. I was constantly entranced and eager through every page.

Tropes you may find in TMT are marriage of convenience, thieving, scheming, nightmare daddies 🥰, self acceptance, many morally grey characters, touch her and 🪦, who did this to you, allllll the banter, found family, spice 3/5, unique magic systems, pirates, fae/elves/alver, plot twists with a side of political intrigue, rabid golden retriever MMC, and comforts after nightmares.

I could keep on with the praise but I am sure your eyes are tired now. Nonetheless, I can’t say it enough. Read anything and everything by LJ Andrews!

Utterly fun, chaotic, and amazing bantering.
The Kingdom of the East is my favorite with them being made of thieves and up to no good. But they are a tight knit group formed as a found family that showed that not everything that looks off from perfect is bad.

Jonas oh Jonas what a sweetheart under the facade of a rake. This couple was meant to be!

LJ Andrews did it again and I loved it to pieces.

I need mooooore. Soxsad stolen crown snippet were not included 😂

LJ Andrews never ever fails to mesmerise me with her writing. It’s like pearls shining through the ocean and it is that addicting and I can’t put it down at all. The story consumed me from the very first line. This marriage of convenience certainly didn’t turn out as the characters expected it to. But it turned out as us readers wanted. PURE LOVE AND AFFECTION.

Skadi and Jonas are just damm adorable creatures and the intense vibe was clearly visible from the start, it was only a matter of time, we had to wait and let the magic work for itself and consume them whole as the story moves forward. Every line, every word is magical to my heart and I never wanted it to end.

At the end of The Ever Queen, I knew what the story was going to be but the ups and downs and the roller coaster of emotions and meeting all the characters again was such a great experience that this book is in my top read of the year. Skadi is not at all as we thought she would be. She is a bright gem, lost in the insecurities imposed by others. Her growth in the book is phenomenal and her strength at the end was an icing on the cake.

Whereas Jonas is a sweetheart and a 'nightmare to his fire'. He is an absolute delight in the story and makes it more memorable with his quirks and hotness. He brings out the best in the story. The spiciness is an additionally amazing treat in the story. I must ask you all to read this book and enjoy it just as much as I did. I did not find anything that I didn’t love. It’s a Perfect PIECE.

The Ever Seas series is my latest obsession! I devoured The Ever King, The Ever Queen and The Mist Thief in June and already I need more from this world.

The Mist Thief is the first stand-alone instalment within The Ever Sea series that follows a new romance and new battles whilst continuing the plot from the first two books.

Jonas was one of my favorite characters from the Ever King and Queen, so of course I absolutely devoured this one. While this is a standalone I do suggest reading the Ever King & The Ever Queen beforehand.

🏴‍☠️Standalone romance
🏴‍☠️Dark Fantasy Romance
🏴‍☠️Pirates x Vikings
🏴‍☠️Fae x Elves
🏴‍☠️Marriage of Convenience
🏴‍☠️Morally Grey Cinnamon roll MMC
🏴‍☠️Found Family
🏴‍☠️”My wife”
🏴‍☠️Jonas Story

If you loved The Ever King and The Ever Queen than get ready for another dark delicious Romantasy in The Mist Thief filled with pirates, fae, and elves.

4.5/5 ⭐️, 2/5 🌶️, 0/5 💧

🥷 Arranged Marriage
🥷 Political Intrigue
🥷 Enemies to Lovers
🥷 Found Family
🥷 Fae, alvers & elven
🥷 Dual POV

Compared to the action packed duology of the Ever King and Queen, the pacing for this one was very different and much slower, almost a slow burn as this arranged marriage warms up.

The magic and culture of the alvers was so impressive and diverse and fascinating. Many of the side characters shined, and I understand they were featured in the Broken Kingdoms (prequel) series. In the Ever King & Queen, I didn’t feel as much of a pull to read the prequel series as I did in the Mist Thief - giving me that fomo feeling.

Jonas was a charming and mischievous mmc who made you laugh and fall in love easily. There were a few book lover moments that felt like an inside joke from the author to reader that I really loved.

With the slower pacing, I sort of wished we dove a little deeper into the past of the characters - which they touched a bit upon and we got the gist but I think we could’ve just dug in a little more. And actually I was really intrigued and wished I got a little more insight with the villains too - what’s their story and why are they the way they are?

Just some thoughts I think that would’ve added an umph for me but regardless, still a very enjoyable book with some hilarious moments.

— 5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Be kind, be gentle, and be monstrous. I will want you every way."

📖 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 528 pages
👤 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: L.J. Andrews
🏢 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Ace, Berkley
📅 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 14 October 2025

What you can expect:
— Dark Fantasy Romance
— First Person X Dual-POV
— Jonas and Skadi Standalone
— Pirates, Vikings, Sirens, Elves and Fae
— Mental Health Rep
— Enemies-To-Lovers
— Arranged Marriage of Convenience
— Morally Grey Cinnamon Roll MMC X Broken Elven Princess
— "My Wife"
— Found Family
— "Who Did This To You"

𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: descriptive scenes of torture, emotional & mental abuse, threats of harm, dubious consent (past, not between both main characters), self harm (past, recounted), thoughts of self harm, gore & violence, murder, forced marriage, loss of loved ones, misogynistic behaviour, sexually explicit content.

𝐒𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬:
The Mist Thief is the third instalment in The Ever Seas series by author L.J. Andrews. She tried to kill him, so he made her his wife. Skadi first met her husband-to-be with blades in hand on the opposite side of a battle. She lost, and he claimed his prize. To her horror, the king of the shadow elven agrees to marry her off to Jonas, a prince in the fae realms, as a way to unite their kingdoms against a shared enemy—the light elves. Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won’t come into play. Except her new husband makes not falling in love... challenging. When new threats arise, Skadi must decide to either love her enemy, or keep him alive by betraying him to another.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:
I don't know what author L.J. Andrews sprinkles into her books but they're literal written crack at this point. I've consumed all twelve interconnecting books within this universe and I remain utterly feral for more. The Mist Thief was a strong addition to The Ever Seas series as we say goodbye to Erik and Livia as our main protagonists, and hello to Jonas and Skadi. Despite its ability to be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading both books in the series prior to this one, as the events in The Mist Thief immediately pick up after the events of The Ever Queen. Despite being a couple standalone within a series, I'm continued to be impressed and in awe of the author's ability to fully flesh out and explore her characters within their allocated time. Would I have loved the opportunity to have been spoiled with one more book featuring Jonas and Skadi? Yes. Is it something that feels necessary? Absolutely not. Everything about this story was an ease to read with its well paced storyline and the return of fan favourite characters from the Broken Kingdoms series. Knowing I have a while to wait for Tait and Mira's story in the fourth instalment in this series is highly upsetting, so I will absolutely be doing a full re-read of all connected books whilst I impatiently patiently wait for future release news.

𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭:
I found myself quickly immersed within the plot of The Mist Thief as I was beyond excited to be returning to the world of Alvers, thieving royals and scheming antics. This book truly felt like coming home with its familiarity from the Broken Kingdoms series. The story immediately kicks off as Skadi attempts a last stance of independence before she prepares to be wed to the man she lost against in battle, the Nightmare Prince Jonas. Jonas intercepts Skadi with the help of his peers and delightfully taunts his bride-to-be with his roguish quips and retorts. I found myself unable to put the book down as the plot left me enraptured from beginning to end as we follow the pair during their rocky enemies to lovers journey... and what a journey it turned out to be. Full of mystery, mayhem, secrets and betrayals; The Mist Thief is a thrilling and adventurous tale that is a must-read for all fans of Romantasy.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Jonas has been a favourite side character of mine since his appearances as a child in the Broken Kingdoms series and it has been a joy watch him grow into the man that he is now. Known for his reputation as a playful rake and a strong Alver with the power of nightmares alongside his twin brother Sander, Jonas is a formidable opponent and loyal to his core. His trust, loyalty and respect is unparalleled and we often see Jonas go to great lengths in protection of those he cares for. And yet underneath his ruthless abilities and cheerful exterior, Jonas is quietly suffering in silence and it genuinely broke my heart as we are granted an intimate insight into his terrors and fears. Jonas loves deeply and unequivocally. As a result we see him battle his fears of the unknown and the terror of losing his loved ones. Jonas was faced with the harsh truths of what a war can do to a community when he was a young child, and tragically this is the kind of experience that leaves a mark. I was really glad to see Jonas unafraid to lean on his family for support as he tried to learn how to manage his fears before they overtook him entirely. Being in Jonas's perspective was a breath of fresh air after enjoying following the ruthless Erik Bloodsinger in The Ever King and The Ever Queen, and I truly believe my fellow readers will share that sentiment. The sense of family and community is strong within this story, and overall it felt very reminiscent to the story of his parents. The bonds and kinship that are forged are forever, and the found family aspect will always be a highlight for these characters.

Skadi is a character shrouded in mystery and intrigue when we are first introduced in The Ever Queen. As a kind and gentle-natured woman with immense power that many seek to exploit and manipulate, I was constantly left on edge as I waited to see what would come next for her character. At her core, Skadi is a lonely woman with no real family and a lot of love to give. The loss of her parents at an early age has left a fracture in her heart that may never close, and as a result Skadi was desperate to cling to every ounce of affection that was on offer. Unfortunately this results in a tragic and gripping history that is not truly revealed until further into her story, and when the truth was finally revealed I felt true anger and despair on her behalf. Skadi was a wonderful main character as we joyfully watch Jonas slowly chip away her protective layers until the once stoic and emotionless woman flourishes in her new environment. The willingness of the Alvers and the Kryv to welcome Skadi into their royal band of misfits and thieves was a beautiful and heart-warming transition. I enjoyed watching Skadi desperately try and remain detached and aloof, but they're such a special group of people that it's impossible to not soften and warm towards them. Skadi has endured far too much in her young age, and she is nothing but deserving of the love and loyalty that is flung her way. I felt emotionally connected to Skadi's journey and I really hope we get more of her in future instalments.

𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:
The relationship development between Jonas and Skadi was a ton of fun as both are determined to make it a marriage bound in duty only. After standing on opposites sides of a battle where Jonas's twin brother Sander almost lost his life, Jonas is understandably struggling to set aside his conflicting emotions from that day. The banter between the pair gave exactly what it needed as their quick wit and quips provided Jonas and Skadi with a middle ground to sit on as they worked on settling their differences. Skadi's frustration at Jonas's refusal to allow her the last word in any of their arguments was hilarious, and in all-honestly I commend her on her patience. If it had been me, I would've throttled Jonas (in an undeadly way) out of sheer frustration and exasperation during any one of those encounters. However in true L.J. Andrews fashion... those feelings of contempt quickly turn to attraction and lust. There's no better feeling than when two characters say "fuck it" and finally act upon the attraction and longing that has long been building. The moments that take place after their acts of intimacy are by far my favourite. The moments of silent ease and emotional connection is where I found the true relationship connection to form, and I felt genuine joy as Jonas and Skadi found a home within one another. I'm so impressed with how with the author has fully explored both characters individually and as a couple within a standalone, which I will admit to initally being apprehensive about. Livia and Erik's story was well fleshed out across two books and I could never have imagined them fitting into a standalone, and whilst I would've enjoyed a second book with Jonas and Skadi, it is by no means necessary. Jonas and Skadi carve a journey between two broken people who begin to find the missing pieces of themselves within the other, and it was as tumultuous as it was beautiful.

A relationship I feel the need to expand upon outside of the main love story is the development between Skadi and Kase. If you weren't swooning over Kase within his original trilogy then you are bound to now that we are faced with Daddy Kase. This man is everything and I never realised how much I missed him until I finished The Mist Thief. As a father, Kase stays true to his nature as a stoic and seemingly grumpy man. His very presence inspires fear and intrigue, and yet there is nobody Kase is more loyal to than his family. The sheer love and adoration this man holds towards his wife and sons left me feeling quite emotional. He's not a man that expresses his love with woeful words and declarations. Kase is a man of action, and act he did when it came to welcoming Skadi into the family. After being told all of her life that her magic was something to be fearful and ashamed of, Skadi was desperately in need of guidance and support which Kase was readily available to provide. Not once did he allow Skadi to feel shame or fear over her own power. His willingness to listen to her struggles and help her overcome them just summarises who he is as a father and as a friend, and I truly think Kase's relationship with Skadi played a detrimental role in her character progression. Being able to witness as Skadi finally finds herself a family that love and accept her for who she is and not for what she has to offer tugged on my heartstrings, and I damn near started bawling when she asked Kase if she could call him 'Daj.' Kase one hundred percent went sobbing to Malin afterwards, I'm calling it now.

𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
There's really not much else to say other than author L.J. Andrews can do no wrong and continues to be one of my all-time favourite authors. Everything about her writing resonates with me and stays with me long after I've finished reading... and you can bet I'll be counting down the days until we hear news on book four which will follow Mira and Tait. I already know I'm going to be crying with laughter watching Ari attempting to handle his only daughter falling in love with a pirate. He's for sure going to try and act intimidating... just to fail and have Saga step in on his behalf. I cannot wait.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲.

Oh my god Jonas. Such a sweetheart. I loved how supportive and accepting he was of Skadi. I love a marriage of convenience becomes real too!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The Mist Thief has stolen my heart🖤The banter between Skadi and Jonas kept a smile on my face and thoughts of “just give in” in my mind . The slow burn between these two kept the pages hot. The desires that flowed in their very gazes kept me wanting the next scene and then the next. “Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won’t come into play.” My heart broke when the agreement vows were read by Skadi’s grandfather. The world that her elven king believed she should live was soul crushing. These vows were not created for love, but to keep war away. As Skadi leaves her home, and enters Jonas,’ there is a new feeling of belonging she has never felt….Home. Could something beautiful grow from this? Would Skadi and Jonas find their happy ending? Would Arion steal her back? What does fate have planned? The Mist Thief is book three that brings us back to the Ever Seas world where pirates, fae, and elves collide with Vikings. Though this book can be read alone, I would recommend starting with The Ever King and The Ever Queen. Better yet, start with The Broken Kingdom series. Get to know the fated mates, their battles, and families from the start. LJ Andrews has created, and continues to create, this magnificent world that keeps the reader waiting for more. Speaking of waiting for more… the cliffhanger at the end of The Mist Thief has me wanting/needing the next book.

Fantastic book. I tried to slow down while reading to make it last, but still finished it in one day. I loved all of the characters in the book. The main characters, Skadi and Jonas, are just so wonderfully written. They are charming, sassy, adorable, and entertaining. And when the smut hits, you will be saying “thank you, may I have another?” The villains are excellent, you want to punch them in their stupid faces. You get cameos from some of your favorite characters from the Ever King and Ever Queen. You can read this book as a standalone, but if you have plans on reading the original duology, you may want to hold off on this book because you will get a few spoilers. Or read this book first, and treat the other two books like prequels. You do you boo. Either way, if you love fantasy and fae, this book is for you. You’ll end with a HEA but also a mystery that leads into another book in the works.

(Review from previous read of book, I'm sure I'll love any bonus content as well when I revisit)

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5

Fluff rating: 💖 1/5

💀 Multiple trauma triggers in this book - sensitive readers check before reading

I didn’t think she could top The ever King & Queen but I’m happy to be proved wrong by LJ Andrews any day!

She has a gorgeously descriptive and cinematic writing style and her world building is both full of depth but easy to follow at the same time.

We all know I love an enemies to lovers romance and throw in an arranged marriage to a morally grey, burnt cinnamon roll, nightmare wielding MMC and it’s just a recipe for success.

I loved how full of banter and teasing Jonas was, whilst as the same time getting to see his more vulnerable and protective side. And I equally loved Skadi as our FMC she’s tortured and dark but also just wants to be loved and to feel like she has a place in the world (no of course I don’t relate to that… 👀 not at all! Leave me alone ok!)

There’s something so real about the way Andrew’s writes her tender moments between characters, it really feels like you’re there living it. Not to mention the found family is just beautiful I loved the dynamic between them all, especially during the family sparring scene and the constant brotherly teasing between Jonas and Sander. Speaking of Sander I’m obsessed with his nerdy golden retriever energy and how much he just wants Skadi to adore him (even if she almost killed him first)

If you want a darker fantasy romance, with Fae, Elves and pirates with a decent helping of spice (medium burn) get this book and this series on your radar!

Dark, intense, and packed with twists, The Mist Thief delivers high-stakes romance and political intrigue in the third book of the Ever Seas series. Skadi and Jonas’s forced marriage sets the stage for a tense, slow-burn romance full of betrayals, shifting allegiances, and simmering passion. LJ Andrews’ world-building and complex characters keep the pages turning. Some moments feel a bit predictable, but the emotional payoff and action-packed plot make this an addictive read.

I have enjoyed reading the broken kingdoms series and the ever king series as well so it is fun to follow along with all of the characters I have come to know and love. I wish Jonas and Skadi's story could have been written over 2 books, similar to others in these series but I enjoyed their story and am super excited for the next book in this world!

This is a solid follow up to the Ever King duology, featuring one of the characters that is prominent in the books. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the others but I still had a lot of fun with it. Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

The Mist Thief by LJ Andrews!

Let’s talk arranged marriage—because this is how you do it right. Enemies-to-lovers tension, forced proximity, reluctant yearning, and sizzling chemistry that leaps off the page? Yeah, I ate this up and licked the plate clean.

Skadi is a future queen raised on duty and expectation. Jonas is a swoony, sharp-tongued protector who agrees to marry her—not for love, but to contain a dangerous magic. But fate has other plans... namely, them falling hard for each other. 🥹

💚 Jonas is the kind of morally gray, dangerously charming MMC that makes you weak in the knees—flirty, clever, and a little too good at getting under Skadi’s skin.
💙 Skadi’s transformation from obedient royal to powerful, fiery queen is everything. She’s not here to be saved—she’s here to reign.

And the banter?? ICONIC. The tension?? IMMACULATE.
The spice?? CHEF’S KISS. 🌶️

“Husband?”
“Wife.”
“I think you should kiss me again.”

It’s book three in the Ever Seas series, and while you can jump in here, reading the first two makes the emotional payoff so much richer. You’ll see familiar faces, uncover bigger stakes, and feel like you’re part of this gorgeous, stormy world LJ Andrews has built.

If you’re craving: ✨ Arranged marriage with real emotional depth
✨ Slow burn that burns
✨ Enemies-to-lovers perfection
✨ Fantastical court intrigue and rich worldbuilding
✨ A queen who refuses to be tamed
Then The Mist Thief needs to be at the top of your TBR.

10/10 would marry Jonas myself. 👏